Driving mechanism for aeroplanes, &amp;c.



w. F. nemnom. DRIV ING MECHANISM FOR AEROPLANES, 6w. APPLICATION FILED MAY 29. 1915.

1,279,907. PatentedSpt. 24,1918. Fig l 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

falgYENTufl mm.

ATTORNEYS.

W. F. REINHOLD.

D RlVING MECHANISM FOR AEROPLANES Mn APPLICATION F.|LED MAY29, 191 5. 1,279,907. PatentedSept. 24,191&

3 S HEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTDR hy v w Fig. .5.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJ IIIIIIIIIIII 'llfrlllllil lllldrlf ATTORNEYS.

wi p sTATEs j PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAMF. REINHOLD, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

' DRIVING mnommisivi r03 AEROPLANES, 8w.

. Specification of Letters Patent. 1 Patented Sept. 24, 1918.

Application filed May 29, 1915. Serial No. 31,119.

I is a specification.

This invention relates. to a propelling mechanism which is more particularly designed for use in aeroplanes'although it is also applicable in other cases where a continuous driving power isessential. As is well known accidents frequently happen to aviators by reason of the motor stopping while in flight which necessitates descent with little opportunity for choosing the landing place and therefore often results in serious inJury. I

It is the object of this invention to provlde a propelling mechanism 1 for aeroplanes I. which comprises a plurality of motors which are operable in unison or either of which may be initially used at the will of the opera tor for starting the flight of the aeroplane and to associate with these motors automatic means whereby stopping of the motor which has just been in operation will cause another motor to be started and propel the aeroplane in place of the one which has just ceased working.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view, partly in section ofan aeroplane equipped with a propelling mechanism embodying my invention. Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are fragmentary vertical longitudinal sections, on an enlarged scale, taken on the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a Vertical transverse section taken on line 6-6, Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 77, Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the'connections between the severalelectrical devices used in this propelling mechanism.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

1 represents the main frame of the aeroplane which may be of any suitable or well known construction. On this frame is a driving or propelling shaft mounted in any approved manner and operatively connected with one or more propellers which are arranged either at the front, the back or elsewhere on the machine but in the example shown in Fig.1 of the drawings this driving or propeller shaft 2 is journaled horizontally and lengthwise in suitable bearings 3, 3 on the central rear part of the frame and provided at .its rear end. with a propeller or wheel 4. The aviators seat 5 and the observers or mechanicians seat 6 are preferably arranged in line lengthwise 01 the center .of the aeroplane, the observers seatbeing arranged in front of the driving shaft and the aviators seat in front ofthe observers seat, as shown in Fig. 1.

7 and 8 are two main driving orv propelling motors or engines preferably of the type which derive power from the explosion of gas, vaporized gasolene or the like and which are mounted on the main frame on laterally opposite sides of the driving shaft. These engines are adapted to be started by. electric motors 9, 9 mounted on the main frame and each operatively connected with the companion propelling motor by a gear pinion 10 arranged on the shaft'll of'the "respective starting motor and meshing with i a gear wheel 12 on the front end of the shaft 13 of the adjacent propellingmotor.

Means are provided whereby motion may be transmitted from both or from either of the propellingmotors to the propeller shaft while the other propelling motor is at rest which'means'preferably comprise two transmitting belts 14, 15, preferably of the chain type, one of these belts, as 14 of the right main motor, passing around a driving sprocket wheel 16 on the rear end of the shaft of the propelling motor 7 and a driven On their opposing sides splined on the adj acent part of the propeller shaft so as to be capable of sliding lengthwise thereon but compelled to turn therewith. Between the two coupling sleeves a spring 23 is interposed which operates to hold the shoulders of the same yieldingly in engagement with the shoulders of the driven sprocket wheels. By means of this construction either of the propelling motors when in operation will turn the propeller shaft through the medium of the companion driving and driven sprocket wheels, chain belt and coupling sleeve while the other ropelling motor is at rest this being possible inasmuch as the coupling sleeve associated with the idle propelling motor at this time merely turns forwardly independently of the companion driven sprocket wheel.

24 25 represent supply pipes or conduits through which the gaseous fuel is supplied to the intakes of the propelling motors and which receive this fuel from carbureters of any suitable form. The quantity of fuel passing through each of these supply pipes is regulated by means which may comprise a butterfly valve 26 rotatable in the respective supply pipe and mounted on a rock shaft 27 journaled transversely in said pipe and a rock arm 28 arranged on this shaft outside of the companion supply pipe. Means 'are provided whereby these fuel regulating valves may be opened either manually or by electric power the means for this purpose 'aviators and observers seat shown in the drawings being satisfactory and comprising the coils 29, 30 of two solenoid magnets or elect-ro-motors arranged, respectively adjacent to the supply pipes 24 25 and each containing a longitudinally movable solenoid core 31 which forms an electromotor with-its coil and which is guided in a bracket 32 and operatively connected with the arm of the companion regulating'valve by a pin 33 arranged on the solenoid core and engaging with a slot 34 in the respective rock arm, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7.

35, 36 represent two shifting rods arranged lengthwise on opposite sides of the and each pivotally connected at its rear end with the front end of. one of the solenoid cores while its front end is pivotally connected with a hand operated lever 37. The latter is pivoted on an adjacent plate or switch board 38 which is preferably provided with a curved graduation'39 traversed by a pointer 40 on the hand lever so that the operator can determine the position of the respective fuel valve and set the same manually as desired. When either of the solenoid coils becomes energized by the passage of a current of electricity through the same, its core is attracted and the companion fuel valve is opened. In order to permit the initial part of the opening movement of this valve to be effected quickly and the final part thereof to be effected slowly, a checking device is provided which preferably is constructed in the form of a dash pot and comprises an air cylinder 41 mounted lengthwise above the companion solenoid coil on' a bracket 42 and provided between its closed rear end and open front end with one or more vent openopening in the dash pot cylinder so that air a can escape quite freely from this cylinder until the plunger "during its foreward movement under the action of the respective solenoid coil passes this vent after which the forward movement of the plunger is retarded by the air trapped in the part of the dash pot cylinder. front end of the dash closed rear Owing to the pot cylinder being open the return movement of the plunger can be effected quickly. 4

47 represents a source of electric energy which .maybe generated in any suitable manner and which in this instance, is represented as a battery and the current of which is utilized for operating the electric starting motors which effect the initial turning movement of. the two propelling motors and which also supplies the current for operating the coils of the 'electro-motors which open the two throttle valves 24, 25 and, also the coils of other devices which operate a switch for either cutting inor out the field coils and armaturesof the starting motors' 9, 9 One pole of this battery, for instance theend positive pole, as shown in Fig. 8, is adapted to be connected with and disconnected from two corresponding sides of the two' starting motors, by means of an electromotor operated switch having two fixed contacts 48, 48 which are connected respectively with the end positive pole of the battery and the starting motors by wires 49, 50 51 and a movable contact or bridge piece 52 which is adapted to be moved into and out of enagement with the 'fixedcontacts 48, 48.

he opposite or negative pole of this battery is adapted to be connected with and disconnected from the opposite sides of the two starting motors by means of two switches which are preferably arranged on the switch board or plates 38 on opposite sides of the aviators seat, the switch on the right hand side of thisseat having a fixed contact 53 which is connected by a wire or line 54 with the opposite side'of the right hand starting motor 9 and a movable contact or lever 55 which is connected by wires 56, 57 with the 52 is in engagement with the fixed switch contacts 48, 48, the circuit from the battery through either one or both of the starting motors may be closed by'engaging either one of the movablecontacts 55, 60 with their companion fixed contacts 53, 58 or both of these circuits may be closed for operating both of these motors by engaging both of the movable contacts 55, 60 with their respective fixed contacts.

The opening and closing of the electromotor switch 48, 52 is effected by current derived from the battery, the means for accomplishing this purpose comprising two solenoid cores 62, 63 which are preferably formed on opposite ends of a straight iron rod which carries the movable contact 52 on its central part, a closing solenoid coil 64 surrounding the front solenoid core 62 and an opening solenoid coil 65 surrounding the rear solenoid core 63, as shown in Fig. 8. When a current of electricity flows through the closing coil 64 and the latterbecomes energized the same will draw the closing core forwardly together with the movable switch contact 52 and the opening solenoid core, it being assumed that the opening solenoid coil 65 at this time'is not energized. When the current iscut off from the closing coil 64 and the opening coil 65 becomes ing a movable contact arm 79 and an operating arm 80 whereby the contact arm energized by reason of an electric current flowing through the same the opening solenoid core will be drawn backwardly together with the closing solenoid core and the movable contact 52, thereby breaking the connection between the fixed contacts 48, 48. One end of each of the opening and closing coils, preferably the outer extremities thereof, are connected by wires '66, 67, I

68, 57 to the negative pole of the battery. This last mentioned wire also preferably contains a main or master switch 69 where-- by the battery may be entirely out in or out of circuit whendesired.

On opposite sides of the aviators seat are also arranged hand switches forming part of the means whereby either one or the other of these coils of the electro-motors which open the throttle valves may be placed in circuit with the battery 47. The throttle valve hand switch at the right of the aviators seatcomprises a fixed contact 70 which is connected .by a line or wire 71 with one end of the throttle valve coil 29 on the corresponding ide of the machine, and a movable contact or lever 72 which is connected by wires 73, 74, .57 with the negative pole of the battery. The hand operated throttle valve switch on the left side of the aviators seat comprises a fixed contact 75 which i connected by a line or wire 76 with one end of the left throttlevalve coil 30 on the corresponding side of the machine, and a movable contact or lever 77 which is connected by the lines or 1 wires 78, 57 with the negative pole of the battery. The switch levers or movable contacts 55, 72 on the right of the machine are preferably connected to move in unison and the switch leversor movable contacts 60, 77, on the left side of the machine are also preferably connected to move in unison, in the usual and well known manner of double switches of this type.

A three point speed controlled electric switch is provided which is responsive to either one or both of the propelling motors for'the purpose of closing the circuits of thestarting motors at one point after the propelling motors have reached the required speed, and which also operates in conjunction with other parts for automatically shifting the electric circuits so as to cut out a propelling motor which has stopped running or'decreased its speed below normal from any cause, and reestablishes the elecfor keeping the aeroplane in continuous flights. This speed controlled switch may be variously constructed but in itspreferred v form-the same comprises a switch lever havmay be shifted into engagement with either throttle valve coils and by the wires 83, 86

with the inner end of the closing coil 62, and the front fixed contact 81 is connected by a wire 87 with the inner end of the open- 6 ing coil 65.

This movable switch contact 79 is connected by a line or wire 88 with one. of the intermediate elements of the battery 47 which forms an intermediate positive pole in connection with the negative pole thereof so that onlya part of the energy of this battery is utilized when the switch 80, 81, .82 is in operation inasmuch as this is sufli: cient to operate the parts which are electri- "cally controlled by the same.

Although various means may be provided forcausing the rising or falling of the speed of either one or both of the propelling motor to shift the switch lever 79, 80, for-' Wardly or backwardly for engaging either of the contacts 81, 82 the means which are shown in the drawings are suitable and are organized to be operated from the propeller shaft. As there shown this automatic shifting mechanism is constructed as followsi 7 89 represents an upright governor shaft which i journaled in a bearing 90 on a suitable part of the main frame adjacent afiixed thereto and upon opposite sides ofwhich theupper ends of two laterally movable governor-arms 94 are pivoted each of which is provided at its lower end with a governor weight 95.

96 represents a longitudinally movable shifting sleeve mounted on-the central part of the governor shaft and connectedon its opposite sides by links 97, 97 with the governor arms. When the governor shaft is at rest this shifting sleeve is in its lowered or retracted position the same beingv moved into 7 this position by the weights of the governor arms which cause the latter to swing downwardly and inwardly toward this shaft aided by a spring 98 which surrounds the governor shaft and bears at its upper end against the head 93 and at its lower end against the shifting sleeve 96, as shown in Fig. 3. 'A yoke is provided which is coupled with the shifting sleeve 96 so as to move lengthwise therewith but held against rotation therewith, this being preferably accomplished by providing this yoke with-a collar 99 which engages with a circumferential groove 100 in the lower part of the shifting sleeve and with downwardly projecting arms 101 which engage with longitudinal grooves 102 formed on opposite sides of the station: ary bearing 90 in which the governor shaft is journaled. The governor shaft itself is held against longitudinal movement in its bearing by engagement of the bevel gear.

wheel 92 with the lower end of this bearing and a collar 103 fixed on this shaftand engaging with the upper end of this bearing, as shown in Fig. 3. The yoke is operatively connected with the movable switch contact 79' so that the latter is shifted in harmony with the action of this governorfthe preferred means for'this purpose consisting of a lug 104 projecting laterally from one of the yoke arms 101 and provided with a pin 105 which works in a longitudinal slot 106 in the shifting arm 80 of this switch.

Assuming that the aeroplane is on the ground and that both propelling motors are inactive and that it is desired to start the flight by turning the propeller shaft by power derived from the right hand pi cpelling motor7, the parts wi 1 be operate as fol ows:

The operator first closes the master switch 69 whereby a circuit is closed which includes part of the battery and the closing coil 64 causing the electric current to. flow from the intermediate positive pole of the battery successively through the wire 88, movable contact 7 9, fixed contact'82, wires 83, 86, closing coil 64, wires 66, 68, 57 and switch 69 to the negative pole of this battery, thereby causing the closing coil to become energized and starting motor 9, wire-54, fixed contact 53,

switch lever 55 and wires 56,57 to the negative pole of the battery. The closing of this circuit causes the right starting motor 9 to be operated which latter in turn rotates the right hand propelling motor andthe propeller shaft which is operatively connected therewith. At the same time part of the current of the battery flows from its intermediate positive pole successively through the wire 88, switch lever 7 9, contact 82, wires 83, 84, right throttle valve coil 29, wire 71, fixed contact 70, switch lever 72 and wires 73, 74, 57 and switch 69 to the negative pole of this' battery, thereby causing the coil 29 to draw its solenoid core 31 rearwardly and opening the companion throttle valve so as to admit fuel to the intake of the right hand propelling motor which is being turned by the companion electric starting motor. As the respective propelling motor gradually increases its speed the governor arms which are driven at the same time from the propeller shaft and thrown outwardly cause the yoke 99, 101 to rise and when the respective propelling motor has reached its maximum speed or full load the governor weight arms are thrown outwardly andupwardly to such an extent that the yoke is lifted high enough to cause the same to shift the movable switch contact 7 9'out of engagement from the rear fixed Contact 82 and into enga ement with the front fixed contact 81.

Wl ien this occurs the circuit which includes the battery 47 and the closing coil 64 is broken'and the latter is deenergized and in its stead the opening coil 65 becomes energized by reason of the current of the battery now flowing from the intermediate positive pole of the battery successively through the wire 88, movable switch contact 79, front I pole of the battery, thereby causing the,

opening coil to draw its solenoid core backwardly'together with the closing solenoid core and also moving the switchcontact 52 out of engagement with the fixed contacts 48, 48. When the contacts 48, 52 are thus disengaged or open the circuit from the battery through the right hand starting motor 9 is broken so that the latteris no longer driven by electricity and no further current y from the battery is consumed. for this purpose. The parts now remaln 1n th1s position so 'long as the right hand propelling motor is running under full load or at approximately maximum speed. While the, working engine is thus running normally, the

supply of fuel to the samemay be regulated at will by operating its throttle-valve by the companion hand lever 37 which latter may; be set according to the scale 38.

'After the right hand propelling motor has been properly started the operator opens the switches 53, 55 and 70, 72 and shifts-the movable switch contacts 60, 77, respectively into engagement with the fixed switch contacts 58, 75, at-the left hand side of the machine, so as to close at this point thecircuits of the left hand starting motor'9 and the throttle valve coil 30 of the left hand propelling motor 8 preparatory to permittingof automatically starting the left electric starting motor 9 and setting the companion left propelling motor in operation for continuing the rotation of the propeller shaft and wheel 4 in the event that the right hand propelling motor should unduly slacken its speed or stop altogether. If such i a reduction in speed or stoppage of the right propelling motor should occur the governor arms 94 would move downwardly and'inwardly accordingly and thereby cause the switch contact 79 to be shifted backwardly out of engagement from the front contact 81 and into engagement with the rear contact 82. When this occurs the current of the battery 47 will flow from its end positive pole successively through the wire 88, switch contacts 79, 82, wires 83, 86,, closing coil 64,. wires 66, 68, 57 and switch 69, to the negative pole of the battery, whereby the closing coil.64 becomes ener- 1 gized and again draws its solenoid'core for- The current from the battery will now also wardly so as to shift the movable contact 52' into engagement with the fixed contacts 48,48.

flow from its end positive pole successively through the wire 49, contacts 48, 52,48, wires 50, 51, left starting motor 9 wire 59, fixed contact 58, movable contact 60, wires 61, y

57 and master switch 69 to thev negative pole of the battery, thereby causing the left hand starting motor to operate and turn the left hand propelling motor which latter then continues the rotation ofth'e propeller shaft and its propeller wheel so that no in- I terruption in the propulsion or flight of the aeroplane occurs.

rent flows from the intermediate positive At the same time curpole of the battery through the Wires 88,. contacts 7 9, 82, wires'83, 85, throttle valve coil 30, .wire 76, fixed contact 7 5,.movable' contact77, wires 78, 74, 57 and switch 69to the negativepole of the battery, whereby the fuel valve of the left propelling motor is opened inorder to admit fuel to the intake of the same and enable the same to run.

,When the left hand propelling motor has reached its maximum speed or full load the governor arms 94 are again thrown outwardly and upwardly a sufficient extent to i cause the switch contact 79 which is operatively connected-therewith to be shifted out of engagement from the rear contact 82 v and into engagement with the front contact 81, thereby cutting out the closing coil 64 from the circuit of the battery so that the out the throttle'valve coil 30- of the left hand fuel valve,: and. instead placing the opening coil 65 in circuit with the battery during which time the current flows from the intermediate positive pole of the battery successively through the wire 88, movable contact 79, fixed contact 81,,wire 87, opening coil 65, wires 67, 68', 57 and switch 69.

. to the negative pole of the battery, whereby same becomes denergized and also cutting the movable contact 52 is disengaged from ytor which has'been held in reserve is started so as to continue rotation of the propeller shaft and the propulsion of the machine without any interruption in the flight of the aeroplane and without necessitating any attention on the part of the operator .nor requiring him to manipulate any parts such as throwing switches, regulating fuel etc., thereby'leaving theoperator free to devote his entire attention-to directing or guiding his machine for the purpose of volplaning, banking, climbing or performing such other maneuvers as maybe desirable or necessary in the operation of thelniachine. While thereserve propelling motor is in operation the other crippled'propelling motor which has failed may be overhauled,

' adjusted or repaired so that the'same is in condition to be automatically called into service by opening the switch contacts 58, 60, 75, 77. and closing theswitch contacts" 53, 5 5, 70, 72, whereby the right hand propelling motor will be operated in the event of the left hand propelling motor failing in 7 its operation; When the aviator wishes'to land, it is only necessary to open the main cut out or master switch 69, after which the throttle valves of both fuel supply pipes are again moved forwardly by means of the levers 37, 37, for closing th'ese valves preparatory to making the next flight.

If it is desired to use both propelling moj tors at the same time this can be done by throttle fuel valve is opened instantly part- 1 way to a point which will permit the proper amount of fuel to be rapidly fed to the respective engine upon starting the same after which the further opening movement of thisvalve is gradually slowed. down until it reaches its maximum capacity, thereby enabling the engine to run up to its full load in a short time without unduly straining the same. It is, of course, understood that each of the gas engines is provided with an igniting apparatus which will produce sparks in the several engine cylinders to explode the charges of fuel in the same at the proper times. o

The operation of shifting the load for propelling the aeroplane from one engine to anotheris effected quickly and withoutdrawing the attention of the operator from other duties. 4

By means of this driving mechanism greater safety is attained in the use of aero-- planes inasmuch as it-eliminate the necessity of the aviator descending at an inopportune time due to engine trouble. Furthermore when an engine goes wrong the same can be readily inspected, adjusted'or repaired by the mechanician who occupies the seat on the center line of the machine directly in rear of the aviators seat from which place all parts are conveniently accessible, thereby permitting of effecting continuous flightso long as the supply of fuel holds out.

Moreover, this automatic shifting of the source of power from one engine to another is particularly desirable when flying at a low altitude or over rough and uneven country, because in the'event of failure of one engine no serious drop in elevation of the machine can occur before the shift to the reserve engine is effected, and this wholly aside from the fact that the aviator cannot anticipate the position inwhich he may find himself at the time of motor failure. Iclaim asmy invention: 1.- The combination of two motors vof which-one is adapted to work While the other is at rest and in reserve, and means associated with said motors and operating upon failure of the working motor to automatically start the reserve motor comprising a starting motor operatively connected with the reserve motor, and a speed operated device which controls said starting motor and which is actuated by motion derived from said'working motor.

2. The combination of two main motors of which one at a time is adapted to work while the other is at rest and in reserve, and means associated with said main motors whereby when either of said main m0- tors while at work should fail the other reserve motor will be automatically started comprising two starting motors, one operatively connected with each of said main -motors, and a speedoperated device which controls said starting motors and which is actuated by motion derived from whichever main motor is working.

3. The combination of two motors of which one is adapted to work while the other is at restand in reserve, and means associated with said motors and operating upon failure of the working motor to automatically start the reserve motor and comprising an electric starting motor operatively connected with the reserve motor and adapted to be connected with an electric circuit,

and a speed operated switch which controls said circuit and which is actuated by motion derived from said working motor.

4. The combination of two motors of which one is adapted to work while the other is at rest and in reserve, and means assd ciated with said motors and operating upon failure of the working motor to automatically start the reserve motor comprising an electric starting motor operatively connectedwith said reserve motor, a speed switch controlling said circuit, and a governor operated by the working motor and actuating saidswitch.

5. The combination of two motors of,

which one is adapted to Work while the other is at rest and in reserve, and means shaft by said weight arms but incapable of turning therewith and a starting motor controlled by said voke and operatively connected with the reserve motor.

6. The combination of two motors of 1 which one is adapted to work while the other is at rest and in reserve, and means assoclated, with said motors and operating upon failure of the working motor to autoa motor while the working motor is at rest and to open said circuit when the working motor acquires its maximum or full load speed.

7 The combi'nationof two main motors of which one is adapted to work while the other is at rest and in reserve, and means starting the reserve motor when the working motor fails comprising an'electr'ic starting motor operatively connected with the main reserve motor, an electric battery adapted to be placed in and out of circuit with said starting motor, an electrically controlled switch adapted to close and open said circuit at one point, a closing electro-motor adapted to close said electrically controlled switch,

an opening electro-motor adapted to open said electrically controlled switch, and a speed controlled switch which is responsive to variations in speed of said working main motor and which places said closing electromotor in circuit with said battery when the working motor is at rest or running at low speed and which cuts said closing electroinotor outi iof said circuit and said opening electro-motor into said circuit when said working motor is running at high speed.

8, The combination of two main motors of which one is adapted to Work while the other is at rest and in reserve, and means starting the reserve motor when the working motors fails comprising an electric starting motor operatively connected with the main reserve motor, an electric battery adapted to be placed in and out of circuit with said starting motor, an electrically controlled switch adapted to close and open said circuit at one point, a-clos'ing electromot'or adapted to close said electrically controlled switch, an opening electro-motor adapted to open said electrically controlled switch, a speed controlled switch which is responsive to variations in speed of said working main motor and which places said closing electro-motor in circuit with said battery 'when the working motor is, at rest or running at low speed and which cuts said closing electro-motor out of said circuit and said opening electro-motoriinto said circuit when said working motor is running at high speed, and a hand operated switch arranged in said circuit. 7 9. The combination of two main motors of which one is adapted to work while the starting the reserve motor when theworking motorfails comprising an electric starting motor operativelyconnected with the ma n reserve motor, an electric batter adapted to be placed in and out of circuit with said. starting motor, an electrically controlled switch adapted to close and open said circuit motor out of said circuit and said ope ning electro-motor into said circuit when said working motor is running at high speed, a

throttle valve for controlling the supply of fuel to said working motor, and'an electro- .motor which is adapted to open said last i mentioned valve and which is adapted to be placed in circuit with said battery by said speed controlled switch while said working motor is at rest or running at low speed.

10. The combination of two main motors of which one is adapted to work while the other is at rest and in reserve, and means starting the reserve motor when the working motor fails comprising an electric starting motor operatively connected with the main reserve motor, an electric battery adapted to be placed in and out of circuit with said starting motor, an electrically controlled switch adapted to close and open said circuit at one point, a closing electro-motor adapted to close said electrically controlled switch, an opening electro-motor adapted to open said electrically controlled switch, a speed controlled switch which is responsive to variations in speed of said working main motor and which places said closing electro motor in circuit with said battery when the working motor is-at rest or running at low speed and which cuts said closing electro- Inotor out of said circuit and said opening 'electr'o-motor into said circuit when said working motor is running at high speed, a throttle valve for controlling the supply of fuel to said working motor, an electro-inotor which is adapted to open said last mentioned valve and which is adapted to be placed in circuit with said battery by said speed con of which one is adapted to work while the other'is at rest and in reserve, and means starting the "reserve motor when the working motor fails comprising an electric startconnected with the an electric battery and out of circuit an electrically coning motor operatively main reserve motor, adapted to be placed in with said Starting motor,

I electro-motor adapted to close -said electritrolled switch adapted to close and open said circuit at one point, a closing electromotor adapted to close said electrically controlled switch, an opening electro-motor adapted to open said electrically controlled switch, a speed controlled switch which is responsive to variations in speed of said working main motor and which places said closing electro-motor in circuit with said battery when the working motor is at rest or running at low speed and which cuts said closing electro-motor out of said circuit and said opening electro-motor 1nto sald circuit when said working motor is running at highspeed, a throttle valve for controlling the supply of fuel to said working motor, an electro-motor which is adapted to open said last mentioned valve and which is adapted to be placed in circuit with said battery by said speed controlled switch while said working motor is at rest or running at low speed, a hand switch arranged in circuit with said electro-motor which operates said throttle valve, and a master switch arranged in the circuit 'of said battery.

12. The combination of two main motors, a starting electric motor operatively connected with each main motor, a battery adapted to beplaced in and out of circuit with said starting motors, an electrically controlled switch adapted to close and open said electric circuit at one point, a closing electro-motor adapted to close said electrically controlled switch, an opening electromotor adapted to open said electrically controlled switch, and a speed controlled switch which is responsive to the movement of said main motors and which places said closing electric motor in circuit with said battery when neither of said main motors is in operation or only running below normal speed and which places said opening electromotor in circuit when one or the other of said main motors operates at full speed.

13. The combination of two main motors, a starting electric motor operatively connected with each main motor, a battery adapted to be placed in and out of circuit with said starting motors, an electrically controlled switch adapted to close and open said electric circuit at one point, a closing cally controlled switch, an opening electromotor adapted to open said electrically controlled switch, a speed controlled switch which is responsive to the movement of said main motors and which places said closing electric motor in circuit with said battery when neither of said main motors is in op.- eration or'only running below normal speed and which places said opening electro-motor in circuit when one or the other of said main motors operates at full speed, and a hand switch arranged in circuit with each of said 7 starting electric motors.

14. The combination of two main motors, a starting electric motor operatively connected with each main motor, a battery adapted to be placed in and out of circuit with said starting motors, an electrically controlled switchadapted to close and open said electric circuit at one point, a closing electro-motor adapted to close said electrically controlled switch, an opening electromotor adapted to open said electrically controlled switch, a speed controlled switch which is responsive to the movement of said main motors and which places said closing electric motor in circuit with said battery,

when neither of said main motors is in operation or only running'below normal speed i and which places said opening elect-ro-motor in circuit when one or the other of said main motors operates at full speed, throttle valves controlling the admission of fuel to the inlets of said main motors, and an elect-ro-motor which is adapted to open each of said valves and which is adapted to be placed in circuit with said battery by said speed controlled switch while the companion main motor is either at rest or running below normal speed and to be cut out of said circuit when the last mentioned motor is running at full speed.

electric motor in circuit with said battery when neither-of said main motors is in'operation or only running below normal .speed and which places said opening electro-motor in circuit when one or the other of said main motors operates atfull speed, throttle valves controlling the admission of fuel to the inlets of said main motors, an electro-motor which is adapted to open each of said valves and which is adapted to be placed in circuit with said battery by said speed controlled switch while the companion main motor is either at rest or running below normal speed and. to becut out of said circuit when the last mentioned motor isrunnin at full speed, and a hand switch arrange in the circuit of each of said throttle valve opening motors.

v 7 WILLIAM F. REINHOLD. 

